Mental Health Service for Refugees
Refugees in Canada are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions than non-refugees. Refugees are at a higher risk to experience symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.
Although Canada is one of the best countries for refugees to live a happier and more prosperous life, some people do not cope with socio-cultural differences. As a result, they experience mental health conditions. Today’s article will highlight essential details on refugees and mental health services. Read on!
Refugees and Mental Illness in Canada
Discrimination, violence, and dislocation are common problems for refugees in Canada. Canada’s Immigration & Refugee Protection Act states that refugees are people in need of protection because they are vulnerable to torture, cruel punishment, and death.
An empirical research study published on NCBI states that 25% of refugees worldwide experience mental health conditions, including depression and PTSD. Quantitative research highlights that 55% of refugees experience depression, 24% have social anxiety, and 61% suffer from PTSD.
Although refugees settled in Canada have better mental health than in other countries, a minority of all refugees settled in Canada experience mental illnesses. Another research study shows that 9% of refugees settled in Canada have PTSD.
Researchers highlight that 5% of refugees in Canada have major depressive disorders. However, PTSD, depression, and social anxiety are higher among refugees in Canada than non-refugees.
For instance, refugees are more likely to experience PTSD than the non-refugees population in Canada. Let us discuss how mental health services in Canada can help refugees cope with their situation.
Mental Health Services for Refugees
Refugees with mental health conditions like stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD who attend therapy see improvements in their symptoms. For instance, Psychotherapy is an excellent way to improve quality of life.
Although psychotherapy is a reliable option for mental health conditions, it can also help refugees with no mental disorders to cope with stressful life events. So, therapy can benefit anyone.
Therapedia Center offers different therapies for refugees with physical and mental health conditions. However, psychotherapy is an evidence-based approach for refugees to cope with emotional, mental, social, and behavioral challenges.
We use psychotherapy and art therapy for adults and children, respectively. We aim to support people with daily life challenges, stressful life events, relationship issues, social phobia, etc. The following conditions could be improved by psychotherapy:
- Neglect, trauma, and abuse
- Daily life challenges in Canada
- Emotional and behavioral challenges
- Stress, depression, and anxiety
- Stressful life events
- Life changes or transitions
Relieves Depression
Depression is a common health condition among refugees in Canada. Dislocation, neglect, trauma, and other symptoms cause chronic misery that takes a massive toll on a refugee’s life.
For example, a refugee with depression may experience apathy, guilt, appetite changes, and sleep disorders like insomnia. Although one can take medications, including antidepressants, muscle relaxants prescribed by doctors, these can cause severe side effects.
Therapedia Center has qualified and professional therapists with years of experience to provide refugees with a comfortable, private, and state-of-the-art setting to heal and cope with depression. The psychotherapy sessions offered at Therapedia Centre for Refugees in Ontario are free of charge.
We help refugees with depression build new ways of thinking and reacting and live happier and prosperous life in Canada. Suppose you are a refugee from Yemen, a country with a hot and humid climate, but now you live in Canada. So, you may suffer from seasonal affective disorder during the harsh winter months. You may feel sad, depressed, and down most of the day and lose interest in activities you enjoyed in your native country.
Whether you feel sluggish, experience low energy, or have problems sleeping; we can help you overcome these conditions using psychotherapy. Bear in mind that we use evidence-based methods tailored to your specific needs.
Improves Social Wellbeing
Social wellbeing is integral to one’s life, allowing one to share, develop, and sustain meaningful relationships with others. The purpose is to feel valued and authentic and create a sense of belonging in the new society in Canada.
At Therapedia Center, our qualified and experienced psychotherapists believe that humans are social creatures and can’t survive without socialization. The brain has a specific part called the limbic system that develops desires for connectedness with others.
The limbic system generates feelings of happiness and safety when you are around your loved ones. However, refugees from war-torn countries who come to Canada experience less awareness, development, and maintenance of social wellbeing.
Consequently, they feel isolated and experience mental health conditions. Social isolation is one of the most significant problems for refugees in Canada. For instance, leaving loved ones behind in their native country and not knowing what could happen to them, take a toll on a person’s mental health.
Withdrawal from human relationships leads to isolation, which causes negative feelings/emotions of fear and threat. Social isolation is a leading cause of loneliness among refugees. Research shows that loneliness is like smoking ten to fifteen cigarettes per day.
Moreover, poor mental health negatively influences a refugee’s life in Canada because they find it challenging to start a new life, find a partner, raise children, make friends, and have positive relationships with co-workers to maintain their job.
Although antidepressants can treat social anxiety disorder and loneliness, studies show that psychotherapy is more effective because it does not cause side effects. At Therapedia Center, our professional psychotherapists treat your condition using a tailored approach based on your needs.
The cost of psychotherapy sessions for Refugees in Canada
The good news is that psychotherapy is free for refugees in Ontario, who hold an active file number and await their hearing at court. All they need to do to receive free psychotherapy sessions is to ask for a referral for psychotherapy from their family doctor. The psychotherapists at Therapedia Centre offer online and in person sessions to make it easier for you to get help.
Final Words
Refugees experience various challenges, such as finding affordable housing and employment, overcoming communication and language barriers, racism and discrimination, negative community attitudes, learning English/French, and socialization.
The consequences of mental health conditions for refugees are staggering without proper treatment. Untreated mental illnesses can lead to unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, poor quality of life, and suicidal tendencies among refugees.
Therapedia Center aims to improve mental health among refugees. We are a group of professional and qualified mental health providers with years of experience helping refugees cope with mental illnesses and live happier lives in Canada.
Whether in-person or online therapy sessions, our professional therapists use evidence-based methods to help refugees overcome mental health issues and create a sense of holistic wellbeing. Contact us today for more information.
Contact details
- info@therapediacentre.com
- (416)877-0137
- 769 A Pape Ave,
Toronto, ON M4K 3T2 - 2 Bloor Street West, Unit 700,
Toronto, ON M4W 3E2
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